Changi Naval Base

by Sitragandi Arunasalam

Located in the eastern part of Singapore, Changi Naval Base is one of two bases operated by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the other being Tuas Naval Base.1 Built on reclaimed land, the naval facility has a basin size of 128 ha and a total area of 86 ha encompassing various facilities for operational and training purposes.2 A berthing space of 6.2 km allows all types of fleet, including submarines and aircraft carriers, to dock at the base.3

Development of the baseThe plan to build Changi Naval Base was announced in parliament by then Second Minister for Defence Lee Hsien Loong on 14 March 1990.4 The base was constructed to replace the naval base at Pulau Brani in order to accommodate the navy's expanding operational and support requirements.5

The groundbreaking ceremony for Changi Naval Base took place on 10 January 1998, officiated by then Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean. During his speech, Teo said that the location of the base at the eastern end of Singapore would enhance the protection of Singapore’s waters together with the Tuas Naval Base at the western end. The Lands and Estates Organisation (LEO) was in charge of its design and development.6

In 2001, the main operational and maintenance facilities, including high-tech features such as automated ammunition storage and environmentally friendly features like ice machines to cool down the buildings, were completed.7

Changi Naval Base was officially opened on 21 May 2004 by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. At the opening ceremony, Goh said that the base would play a critical role in regional security due to its availability for use by the navies of friendly countries as well as its strategic location along vital sea lanes connecting the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea.8 By the time of the official opening, the base has been operational for three years and received almost 100 ships from the navies of 11 countries in 2003.9

On 27 January 2006, then Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean officially opened the RSS Panglima - Changi Naval Training Centre, located to the west of the naval base. Home to the RSN’s Training Command and the Institute of Maritime Operations and Systems, the training centre is made up of the North and South plots. The North Plot consists of the training complexes of RSN, while the South Plot houses offices, classrooms, laboratories and accommodation spaces.10

FeaturesChangi Naval Base has twice the land area, five times the berthing space and deeper waters than Brani Naval Base.11 One of its key features is the use of state-of-the-art technology and engineering designs to reduce manpower usage and increase operational efficiency. For instance, the Indirect Seawater Cooling System and Ice Thermal Storage System enable the base to save electricity using seawater in the air-conditioning system and ice to cool the building. Such technology was developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency – a statutory board of the Ministry of Defence – of which the LEO had become a part of in 2000.12

Access and use by other countriesAn addendum to the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding – that provided the United States (US) forces with access to Singapore’s facilities – was signed on 10 November 1998 to allow American naval carriers to berth at the base. The addendum was signed at the Pentagon by then US Defence Secretary William Cohen and then Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan.13

Other than the US, the base is also available for use by the navies of countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China, India, Britain, New Zealand and Australia.14

Role in maritime securityOn 23 January 2007, Singapore hosted the first Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Maritime Security Shore Exercise at Changi Naval Base. A total of 102 officials from 21 ARF member countries participated in the shore exercise, which also included a simulation exercise at the RSN’s Tactical Training Centre located at the naval base.15

The Information Fusion Centre (IFC) housed at the Changi Command and Control Centre next to Changi Naval Base was launched on 27 April 2009. The IFC gathers and analyses information on vessels around the world and shares it with international maritime partners such as US, Malaysia and Indonesia in order to detect threats to maritime security.16

On 25 July 2011, then Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Lui Tuck Yew officially commissioned the Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) at the Changi Command and Control Centre. The POCC ensures navigational safety and protection of the marine environment in Singapore’s waters.17 In November the same year, the Singapore Maritime Security Centre officially opened at Changi Naval Base.18

To promote the sharing of non-confidential information that can contribute to the safety of underwater navigation, the RSN developed a Submarine Safety Information Portal at the IFC in 2016 for the purpose of sharing “live” updates of ships. The data canbe used in the rescue of submarines involved in accidents at sea.19

Navy MuseumThe Navy Museum, located just outside Changi Naval Base, was officially opened on 3 May 2012 by then Chief of Navy Ng Chee Peng to commemorate the RSN’s 45th anniversary. The museum showcases the history and development of the RSN through displays and exhibits.20

The information in this article is valid as at 13 August 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.